In my travels over the past few months, I’ve come across more than a few interesting examples of signs for various development projects, a suggestion I raised in January for Rahway’s redevelopment efforts.

Here’s a simple “Something is coming” sign for Berry Lane Park in Jersey City. It’s bright, colorful, can’t be very expensive and it’s even got a QR code; and this was overseen by the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency. The one concern in might be if a sign like this sticks around too long: it can become discouraging or create a perception that nothing’s happening.

Here’s a much fancier and more complex effort heralding the coming one of the many high-rises in the works in downtown Jersey City, specifically, what would be the state’s tallest residential building.  It’s no comparison between Rahway and Jersey City but who says Rahway can’t get some interesting and informative signage for projects? Especially with the focus on the arts?

Here’s a great example of incorporating a decent rendering to explain what’s coming to a property. This one in particular is a former church property in Hoboken that appears to keep the church facade but get a modern addition. Nothing wrong with requesting (or requiring) a developer to do this.

Here’s the most basic example, a notice of a a pending application and public hearing for land use in Madison, Conn. There’s nothing sexy about this sign but it provides basic info to the public when it comes to Zoning or Planning Board issues.

What’s all this got to do with Rahway? For one, you don’t see examples like this very much, despite all the efforts centered around redevelopment. The 115-unit Lafayette Village project has been in the works at the corner of Main and Monroe streets for years  but the public wouldn’t know much given that delays are related to state permitting and other issues. Properties like that are aching for some semblance of what’s going on, especially because it’s not clear the naked eye.

I’m not advocating for anything “high-tech” like a QR code or video display but merely a banner of some kind that provides basic information, possibly even a rendering. Yes, things can change, and delays can occur but if the city can provide substantial tax breaks for these projects, some basic — or even not so basic — signage is hardly too much to ask of a developer.